To wonder why on earth anyone goes to Center Parcs?!

[CakePigeon4]

I’ve had several friends who have been to various sites and raved about it, but to me it just looks like a slightly more upmarket Butlins?! It’s extortionately expensive, the chalets look like they’re furnished by Premier Inn, you have to pay for activities, you’re stuck on site eating at their overpriced restaurants... Am I missing something?!

French campsites may be great, and I have enjoyed several holidays in France, but one of the upsides of CP for me is that it is 30 minutes drive from home. I don't want to spend a day or more travelling each way for a short break.

@Shortstuff99 I feel like too much of a big deal is being made of the wondrous pools at CP - it’s really not the highlight of my holiday to sit in what amounts to a leisure centre! I’m just saying, for the (huge amounts of) money, I’d rather have a cottage and eat at local independent restaurants, and nothing any other poster has said has convinced me otherwise.

Surely holidays are about more than spending every day inside a mainly fully enclosed swimming pool?

Holidays are about doing whatever the fuck you want. It's so, so simple. I'm really not sure why some people aren't grasping this.

Pre-DC, we travelled all over. We did luxury city breaks. We backpacked for months at a time in all sorts of countries. We did a road trip around the USA. We did loads of wild camping. I expect that as our kids get older, we will reintroduce some of the more adventurous trips we used to enjoy. But for now, with toddlers, holidays like CP or staying with relatives who live across the UK are easier and less stressful. We like the convenience. I'm bloody knackered so I like having everything nearby, and my kids love spending hours in the pool. I am SO glad that (as far as I know) none of my friends are judgemental arseholes who view my choice to sometimes holiday at CP as an indication that I "lack imagination", thereby causing them to "think less" of me.

@WorraLiberty
We went to a holiday park in Newquay and had to pay for the onsite indoor pool (you only got two hours too) because it was run by a ‘separate company’ first and last time we visited!!

@WhatsInAName19 totally agree with your point - I’m not fussed what anyone else does, and can totally see that CP is a great holiday for lots of people, it’s just not for me I think - but I was worried I was missing out, hence the thread

@CakePigeon4igeon sounds lovely for an adults holiday. Trying to eat a long meal every night at independent restaurants with a few young kids is not such a relaxing experience.

Thanks I am aware of how much other holidays cost! And as I say we get the very nice lodge and pay for another family to come with us (hence the 7 people) and the 4.9k includes 150 quid on travel there, all activities (about 500 worth plus 180 on bike hire for everyone). Yes I could probably pay similar to get a villa abroad but the kids all wanted to go to Centre Parcs instead. It is expensive but they love it and we get some peace so everyone is happy. Not everyone likes the same things you do!

@jennymanara yep very good point! We tend to holiday as a big family group so can usually draft in babysitters for a couple of meals out, but when it’s just the three of us then speed of service is definitely key!

Went once. Never, ever again. Expensive and shit.

it’s really not the highlight of my holiday to sit in what amounts to a leisure centre! I’m just saying, for the (huge amounts of) money, I’d rather have a cottage and eat at local independent restaurants, and nothing any other poster has said has convinced me otherwise.

I don't think any of the people who like CP really give a shit whether you are convinced or not. I don't care where other people go on holiday. But it's annoying when people deliberately misrepresent the place and then look down their noses at those who holiday there. The pools are not the same as a leisure centre. How many leisure centres have you been to that have a wave pool, several flumes, outdoor pools, rapids, whirlpools, cabanas, poolside eateries and toddler splash areas? If none of this appeals to you then that's fine, but don't be a dick and make out like it's nothing better than your local council 25m swimming pool and that everyone who visits is just soooo stupid to be conned into thinking otherwise.

NRTFT but I can't say I thought it was all that great when we went last year (Elveden). Chalet was grotty in parts and in desperate need of refurb, pool was not clean, changing areas manky, loads of activities carry an extra charge. BUT the DC bloody loved it! They keep asking to go back but it's not happening - just not good enough value for money IMHO during school hols. Just been on a 12 day camping holiday on the continent which was cheaper than our 4 days at CP and had loads of free activities for kids, paid activities weren't extortionate... I know which holiday we'll be doing again!

We went once out of season so a price slightly cheaper than a cottage would have been. I would never go again. I just don’t get the attraction. The swimming pool was freezing. Cycle areas are very limited. Tried cycling around the park and there was about 1 mile of routes. Everything costs a fortune. Not always the best vibe in some areas of the park.

Lots of people rave about centre parcs. I smile and nod thinking internally ‘I just don’t get it’. Never again. Money and time spent better elsewhere.

We go to a holiday cottage in Cornwall in Easter holidays, 7 nights. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, freestanding bath. Sleeps 9. On a farm with animals and beautiful views but on Tesco delivery path. Celebspotting opportunities as a famous TV show is filmed on site (I can't disclose which one.) Fabulous beaches, gorgeous restaurants 10 min drive away. £675 for 7 nights. A cleaner comes at the end. All towels and linen included. Very much stress free and relaxing.

The pool at CP is more like a water park then an ordinary rectangular swimming pool though. Lots of flumes, lazy river, kids play areas with poolside bar and cafe. You can spend half the day, every day, there easily. It's meant to be an all weather version of the beach-that's why they were invented I believe.
I've stayed in caravan parks with bog standard swimming pools and there is no comparison.

The pools are much better than a leisure centre. When we went it was freezing though. Probably better in sunny dats when heated by the sun through the glass - is rather be outside though on a sunny day.

I honestly dont understand posts like this. If you dont get why people go to it, simple solution is, dont go!?!?!

We go at least once a year with our 3 kids and they love it. We're happy cos the kids are happy. I dont think its that expensive compared to other things but that's my personal opinion.

I personally cant understand why people choose to go skiing as I think I would hate it but I certainly dont care whether people do or not! Or think people should try to convince me otherwise!

Also I'm pretty sure there are 1000s of people that disagree with you considering how many people seem to go to centre parcs!!!!

Been repeatedly dragged to Haven (the irony of it being one letter short of 'Heaven' will never be lost on me) and have willingly been to CP twice. There really is no comparison.

I think most of us who have been to CP have also been on self catering cottage hols so know what they are like!
I've had some fab cottage hols but if you are unlucky with the weather then it can be rubbish-stuck indoors or driving miles to find an indoor activity for the kids which will be heaving as everyone else is in the same boat.

@gotmychocolateimgood that is cheap for that.

Total rip off, more fool those who pay those prices

The spa is lovely. We've had some great girlie holidays there. Lovely if loads of you go with your kids too.

I felt like I was in an expensive prison (or possibly concentration camp). It was horrible. And you can't just buy one onion. You have to buy a whole bag.

Over priced Butlins, although in a big forest feels crowded and everything is so expensive! Not to mention the grubby accommodation yuk!

We’ve got one quite local to us. I’ld like the idea of trying it out for day trips but apparently that’s not an option- they must make most of their profit on the accommodation.

If your kids are used to playing in woods at weekends/going on bikerides after school etc Im not sure that bit is quite the same draw!

I think you've hit the nail on the head for me. I find it a rip off because we're paying to do what we usually do at home. We can go to standard chain restaurants or go bowling,climbing,pottery painting any day of the week.
Apart obviously from the super duper best in cosmos pool which is no different to Alton Towers, Sandcastle, Waterworld or any other UK waterpark